Exoskeleton Chassis

ABSTRACT

An apparatus that includes a composite fuselage and motion control system designed to protect the human leg from knee pain and muscular fatigue created by repetitive vertical movement or extended periods of squatting. Fuselage panels and frame encapsulate the leg and functionally integrate with hard shell boots to create a rigid exoskeleton structure that resists radial displacement of the knee or ankle. The fuselage ‘open clamshell’ leg harness utilizes wide composite body panels that disperse pressure across a large surface area, allowing the harness to provide body mass support and device securement without restriction of the body&#39;s circulatory system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.15/252,340, filed on Aug. 31, 2016, which issues on Nov. 6, 2018 as U.S.Pat. No. 10,117,769, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates to orthopedic braces and, more specifically, toan apparatus that supports body mass and alleviates compartment stressthrough mechanical assistance to the human knee and elbow, and to alesser extent, other human body joints like the hip, ankle, wrist orshoulder. The present application consists of: a composite panelfuselage that encapsulates the body part, i.e. leg or arm; a motioncontrol mechanism that supports body mass by managing flexion of the legor arm; and a lower support harness that integrates within a hard shellboot, sleeve or “wrap”. This lower support housing also works with anklebraces and pivoting footbed inserts that slide into normal shoes. Theforegoing is achieved with a brace or body support device having one ormore overlapping panels AND with an open shell philosophy/designconfiguration.

Main performance features of the present invention include reducedcirculatory restriction along with enhanced impact protection, increasedstabilization of the leg or arm, mitigation of knee/elbow compartmentstress and increased muscular efficiency. All of the foregoing may bemarketed under the brand ECTOFORM™. To a lesser extent, a differentlysized variation of this concept may be applied to overlapping,clamshell-like wrist and ankle supports, or shoulder and hip devices.

Overuse, injury and age take their toll on a person's body, especiallyhis/her knees. Degradation of the cartilage and synovial fluid, known asPlica syndrome, is inevitable. Orthotic articulating (OA) knee bracesthat develop low levels of resistance to flexion have had some successin rehabilitation, preventive care and sports markets. However, morepowerful systems capable of supporting body mass have been to date,ineffective from a commercial standpoint.

The present invention addresses ergonomic shortcomings of conventionalorthotic braces, especially knee braces, by using a structured panelharness for securement of the brace to the leg. With rigid body panelsinstead of straps, the support harness of the present invention canfocus or remove surface pressure on specific areas of the leg. Withsuperior ergonomics and structural integrity, the fuselage of thepresent invention will comfortably support body mass without restrictingthe circulatory system of the user.

The following U.S. Patents, which describe orthotic braces of thisgeneral type, are incorporated by reference herein to establish thehistoric nature of such braces, and how and why such equipment is used:U.S. Pat. No.1,510,408, entitled “Knee Brace”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,928,872,entitled “Leg support device for skiing”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,600,entitled “Leg aid device and method”.

Performance advantages of the present invention are based on itsergonomic fuselage design with wide, rigid body panels of the upper andlower support harness encircling the leg, creating an ‘open clamshell’structure that specifically avoids the femoral, tibial, genicular,saphenous and popliteal blood vessels of the leg. The open clamshellharness allows the present invention to develop pressure on the leg forsecurement and support without causing circulatory restriction.

This open clamshell design also addresses performance shortcomings ofthe prior art regarding orthotic knee braces. Conventional orthopedicknee braces still rely on bilateral frames and looping straps forsecurement of the device to the leg. When placed under structural load,conventional orthotic knee brace designs flex inward and the compressionstraps restrict circulation to the user's lower extremities.

The following U.S. Patents describe orthopedic style knee braces thathave rigid support panels incorporated into their structure. U.S.Published Application No. 2007/0232972 has structural panel coverage ofthe posterior upper thigh and lower leg with strap securement system onfront section of the leg. In comparison, the present invention uses adouble panel ‘open clamshell’ structure for securement that dispersespressure across a larger area of the leg without restricting the innerthigh and inner calf regions.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,020, entitled “Orthopedic Splint” embodies theconcept of rigid panels for securement. But panels of “OrthopedicSplint” have a dissimilar orientation than the present application andattach to a fixed position metal rod frame, making this patent examplestrictly a post-op treatment device.

The present invention differs from “Orthopedic Splint” in bothconstruction and application. The composite panels overlap and attach toone other creating a strong, low profile fuselage that articulates withthe leg during movement. That, in turn makes the fuselage design of thepresent invention feasible for a multitude of applications such aspost-op rehab, sports orthotics and robotic assistance.

An example of a U.S. patent that uses a rigid leg harness for securementand support instead of looping straps would be U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,693,entitled “Leg Support Device”. The leg collar in that example is anoverlapping cuff that completely encircles the leg. In comparison to theergonomic, low profile open clamshell design of the present invention,“Leg Support Device” still restricts blood flow and encroaches on theinner leg area. Advanced composite construction methods and the openclamshell design allow the present invention to achieve the similarassistance levels to that of “Leg Support Device” with better ergonomicsand less structural interference.

The following prior art describes an orthopedic leg brace with advancedcomposite frame construction; US Published Application No. 2013/0038056.This device, embodied in a commercial form by Bionic Power Llc.,utilizes composite construction with a high level of panel coverage. Thepanels of this prior art example do not, however, represent the functionof the present invention's ‘open clamshell’ support harness. Withoutrigid panels fixed to the main frame, US Published Application No.2013/0038056 lacks the panel size, orientation and structural integrityneeded to disperse mechanical pressure on the leg and support body mass.

Several prior art examples have broken free of the bilateral framedesign by using a single outboard hinge for the frame. U.S. Pat. No.8,740,829, entitled “Configurable subshell components in orthopedicdevices”, U.S. Pat. No. 7,704,218, entitled “Knee brace” and U.S. Pat.No. 5,009,223, entitled “Variable axis knee brace”, are designs thathave reduced structural interference with the inner leg. The three priorart examples, however, still encircle the leg with straps and do notfunction beyond what prior prophylactic knee braces are capable of. Thepresent invention matches the inner leg profile of these prior artexamples, with increased stability and structural integrity because ofthe innovative fuselage design.

The exoskeleton chassis of this invention is NOT a bilateral frame andstrap design like that of the Romo et al., or several other prior artexamples. The ‘support harness’ (or Boorg) is not a harness in thetruest sense. Rather than encircling the leg with flexible panels andstraps like a conventional knee brace, a Boorg ‘support harness’utilizes rigid body panels that clamp onto the user's leg forsecurement.

A ‘harness’ is a combination of flexible webbing, padding and strapsthat relies on the user's body for structure. By comparison, a Boorg‘support harness’ has it's own structural integrity with the user's legfitting and operating within a rigid, articulating structure. The upperand lower support harnesses of this Boorg chassis do not overlap per se.Rather, they are connected by a pivoting mechanism with the front andback sides of each (upper and lower support) body panel overlapping eachother on the outer side (or outside) of a leg before overlapping thespar that goes along this outer side of the leg as best seen inaccompanying FIG. 1. These three overlapping sections (i.e., the frontpanel, rear panel and upper/lower spars create the “open clamshell”design that makes this invention different from anything else in theprior art. If one were to look at the Boorg chassis of this invention,either from above or below, the device (support harness) would resemblean inward facing “C”, or clamshell-shape.

The open clamshell of this Boorg exoskeleton chassis ENCLOSES the user'supper and lower leg in a rigid structure. That design redirectsmechanical pressure to areas of the leg that are less susceptible tocirculatory issues and sensitivity. Conventional bilateral frame kneebrace designs use a hook and loop strap design for securement andsupport, this creates uniform pressure across the leg surface thatrestricts the inner leg's circulatory system. The device of Hassel etal. uses a rigid or semi-rigid structure that relies on a preciseanatomic fit to generate support. But the articulating, close fittingstructure of Hassel et al. is directed towards a different application,i.e., the ankle.

The present invention employs a more effective motion control systemwhen compared to prior art by using: a cam attached to the lower supportharness; a roller bearing and leaf spring assembly attached to the uppersupport harness; and a common central pivot. This motion control systemis drag-free, highly adjustable, compact and powerful. By moving aroller bearing over the cam profile to create mechanical pressure on thespring assembly, the present invention motion control device has nearlyfrictionless operation. Motion control system of the present inventionhas a smooth, responsive ‘live’ feeling, a performance trait repeatedlymissed by prior art. Use of elastomeric straps, pneumatic springs, evenother steel spring configurations found in examples of prior art are notcapable of the smooth operation, radically increasing spring resistanceor high rebound properties of the present invention's motion controlsystem.

The following U.S. Patents describe orthopedic braces using springresistance and motion control systems, are herein incorporated forreference. U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,149, entitled “Knee hinge withselectively limited motion”. This prior art has the embodiment of a camprofile and spring deflection to create resistance.

Examples of motion control methods in a sports oriented knee brace wouldbe U.S. Pat. No. 7,553,289, “Method, apparatus, and system for bracing aknee”, and U.S. Published Application No. 2009/0198164. Also noteworthyis the commercially available example of hinges with flex resistance,i.e., the POD Active K8 with Human Hinge Technology.

In comparison to the present invention, prior art motion control systemsare rudimentary, light duty designs with less adjustability and lowerresistance levels. Prior art examples of motion control devices aredesigned to operate within the constraints of conventional knee bracestructures. They cannot produce high levels of resistance withoutdrastically reducing leg circulation. The present invention motioncontrol system is more robust and powerful, being designed to work withthe improved rigidity and fit of the ‘open clamshell’ support harness.

In addition to enhanced performance, the motion control system of thepresent invention is compact. When viewed from the exterior, theenclosed motion control system maintains the conventional profile of theleg, an important feature for consumers who want to experiencemechanical assistance without looking mechanically assisted.

The following U.S. patent is example of a body mass support device thathas evolved from robotics. U.S. Pat. No. 7,947,004, entitled “Lowerextremity exoskeleton”, relies on a cumbersome exterior frame and footbed system for structure and alignment. In comparison to “Lowerextremity exoskeleton”, the present invention is sleek and simplistic,by making the upper and lower support harness structural components ofthe system, the present invention exists in form and function somewherein between two pre-existing groups known as sports/orthopedic OA kneebraces and robotic assistance. The first embodiment of this invention,now patented and previously listed as a ‘Boorg’™, mixes the simplicity,fit and exterior profile of a sports oriented prophylactic knee brace,with the motion control capabilities of robotic assistance.

The orthopedic braces, ski aids, and robotic assistance devicesdescribed in the aforementioned prior art are inferior to the presentinvention, especially for knee supporting applications. The presentinvention has an advanced monocoque fuselage that does not createcirculatory restrictions. It also has superior stability due to bootintegration and a smooth, powerful method of motion control. Thecomplete orthotic knee brace of this patent application is designed tofill the functional gap that exists between OA (orthotic-articulating)knee braces and robotic assistance systems.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an orthopedic kneebrace that is worn to increase muscular efficiency and mitigate kneecompartment stress, especially when deep squatting or holding aprolonged stance.

It is thus another object of the present invention to assist in itswearer/user in deep squatting or holding a prolonged stance through useof a motion control system attached to fuselage, primary componentsconsisting of a cam, roller bearing, and leaf spring.

It is thus another object of the present invention to provide anorthopedic knee brace with ergonomic ‘open clamshell’ design that doesnot restrict the circulatory system of the lower body or deform underbody mass supporting loads.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an orthopedicknee brace with modular fuselage construction that allows for anatomiccustomization.

It is yet another object to provide an orthopedic knee brace thatfunctionally connects to hard shell boots creating a structure that canresist radial displacement of the knee and ankle.

From a functional standpoint, skiing aids have the most performancesimilarities to the present invention. In regards to commercial art,there are three established designs to mention:

CADS System—The latest rendition of CADS utilizes flexible carbon rodsmounted to the back of a boot with the other end anchoring to the hiparea by means of a posterior belt. The CADS motion control system issimple in function and operation. It is not a prophylactic system in thesense that coverage and leg stabilization is minimal. The flex rodmotion control system has limited adjustability and the boot interfaceis rear mounted resulting in improper boot shell flex and loss ofcompliance between the lower leg and boot.

Ski Mojo—This system utilizes a rear facing boot mount similar to theCADS design, a semi-structured knee compartment, an upperthigh/posterior attachment, and a motion control system operated byextension spring. The Ski Mojo is not a rigid structure, so it haslimited leg stabilization and prophylactic function. Compression strapthigh and posterior connection restricts circulation and does not enabletruly independent leg support. Furthermore, Ski Mojo suffers from thesame functional drawbacks of any rear facing boot-mounted design. Thedevice will not retain the intended flex pattern of the boot.

Againer—A twin spar structure pivoting at the knee has a rigid rearfacing frame member for leg stabilization and motion control withattachment to the boot being rear mounted. This system is the mostrobust and powerful of the three commercial designs with a unifiedstructure from boot to thigh and a pneumatic spring for motion control.Unlike a Boorg ‘open clamshell’ design of this invention, the Againerstructure encroaches on the inner leg profile causing interferencebetween the medial thigh areas. The Againer design motion controller,being an exposed pneumatic piston, is also damage prone and lacks theadjustability and frictionless operation of a Boorg system. In addition,the Againer mounts to the boot shell in the same method as the previousski aid designs.

The Boorg composite fuselage and panels have a high amount of coverageand structural rigidity. And the invention encapsulates and stabilizesthe leg to a higher degree than anything previously listed. Withaddition of the motion control device, the Boorg becomes capable ofisolating the body compartment, more specifically the knee, fromdamaging quadriceps tension. It can also support body mass to someextent. While the above three commercial systems can also do body masssupport, they cannot do so at the same level of performance as a Boorgmotion control device. By using a roller bearing and cam for springactuation, the present invention has a motion control system that isexceptionally smooth with a high degree of adjustability. Springresistance of a Boorg motion control system can be increased, decreased,delayed, reversed or disengaged, thus allowing the user to customizeperformance to his/her specific needs and applications.

It is important to note that the features of the present invention;structural integrity, coverage, ergonomic design, boot integration andadjustable motion control give it the potential to represent manydifferent things to many different people. A Boorg device can adapt tomultiple applications while being both preventive and rehabilitative inpurpose.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide anorthopedic brace fuselage with motion control system to mitigate stresson the body compartment, especially the knee, for protecting the leg andsupport body mass.

It is another object herein to provide an orthopedic brace with a rigid‘open clamshell’ harness structure that does not restrict bloodcirculation or deform under body mass supporting loads.

It is another object to utilize advanced composite construction methodsincluding monocoque voids and directional layup patterns to create a lowprofile, lightweight orthotic brace fuselage, for especially the knee,said fuselage being capable of supporting body mass.

It is another object of this invention to attain customized fit throughthe use of modular fuselage sections that can be individually replacedor adjusted.

It is another object to use the open clamshell structure as a method ofinterface with a hard shell boot, allowing the two components to moreeffectively disperse and redistribute destructive internal and externalforces.

It is another object to provide a motion control system that uses aroller bearing, leaf spring and cam design for adjustability andfrictionless operation.

It is yet another object to provide a lower body exoskeleton thatutilizes composite panels and the motion control system itself, asstressed members of the fuselage structure.

In accordance with the foregoing objects, and others which will becomeapparent hereinafter, there is provided a hinged motion control systemoperating in a central location beside the body joint, (knee or elbow)attaching rotatably to an upper and lower support harness that followthe path of natural leg or arm movement. By rotating a cam fixed to thelower support harness against a roller bearing and leaf spring attachedto the upper support harness, spring deflection is created and utilizedto control flexion or hyperextension of the leg through the rotatablyattached, open clamshell support harness. Spring resistance of thepresent invention is used in conjunction with the rigid fuselage designto support body mass and reduce tension on the knee compartment. Thepresent invention includes boot integration and a high level of bodycoverage to provide unmatched levels of protection and stability.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includerepresentative embodiments that may be embodied in still other varyingforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention. Corresponding reference charactersindicate corresponding parts through several views.

The above mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by the reference to the followingdescriptions of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an outer side view of an adjustable orthopedic knee braceassembly having a motion control system and composite panel constructionsecured to a human leg;

FIG. 2 is an inner side view of an adjustable orthopedic knee braceassembly with a structured ‘open clamshell’ fuselage secured to thehuman leg;

FIG. 3, consistent with FIG. 1, is the outer side view of the orthopedicmotion control hinge with leaf spring harness, control arm and releasemechanism that embodies principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 4, consistent with FIG. 2, is the inner side view of the orthopedicmotion control hinge with a cam and roller bearing mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms.

Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpretedas limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ thepresent invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system,structure or manner.

While the invention has been described in connection with or morepreferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention to the particular form set forth. On the contrary, it isintended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents asmay be included with the spirit and scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims.

Reference is now made specifically to the drawings in which identical orsimilar parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout.

Referring to FIG. 1, an orthopedic knee brace 30 is shown operativelyattached to a human leg 35 with a main pivot 47 and adjustable motioncontrol system 34 disposed between the upper support harness 31 and thelower support harness 33. Orthopedic knee brace 30 is secured to thehuman leg 35 by the upper support harness 31 and the lower supportharness 33. Turnbuckle control arm 40 (hidden) with turnbuckle lockingmechanism 44 connects upper support harness front panel 41 and lowersupport harness front panel 42 to knee compartment frame 43. Thisturnbuckle arm feature enables fit adjustment and entry/exit oforthopedic knee brace 30.

FIG. 2 is an inside view of an orthopedic knee brace 30 shownoperatively attached to the human leg 35. This view shows rigid bodypanels of upper support harness 31 and lower support harness 33encircling the leg to form an open clamshell structure with an ergonomicrelief zone 32.

FIG. 2 further shows turnbuckle control arm 40 connected to uppersupport harness 31 and lower support harness 33. Turnbuckle control arm40 when engaged, serves as a structural link from knee compartment frame43 to upper support harness front panel 41 and lower support harnessfront panel 42. This design creates a rigid exoskeleton structure aroundthe human leg 35 that articulates at a main pivot 47 located on eachside of the knee's central axis.

Turnbuckle control arm 40, when released from knee compartment frame 43by turnbuckle locking mechanism 44, enables upper support harness frontpanel 41 and lower support harness front panel 42 to pivot into an openposition. This allows entry of human leg 35 into the orthopedic kneebrace 30. When turnbuckle control arm 40 is engaged to knee compartmentframe 43 thru turnbuckle locking mechanism 44, a rigid open clamshellstructure with ergonomic relief zone 32 is created around the upper andlower leg. That open clamshell design provides three features that areobjects of the present invention: impact protection for the leg, bodymass support without circulatory restriction and functional integrationbetween the fuselage and boot.

The open clamshell design with ergonomic relief zone 32 developspressure on the human leg 35 without the side effects seen inconventional knee brace designs. The rigid upper support harness 31 andlower support harness 33 panels do not deform under load and distributepressure evenly across large areas of the human leg 35. This allows themotion control system 34 (hidden) to create leg flexion orhyperextension resistance without creating discomfort or circulatoryrestriction.

Referring to FIG. 3, a close up outside view of the adjustable motioncontrol system 34 is shown with roller bearing 36 leaf spring 37adjustable spring mount 38 and spring control arm 46 attached to upperpivot plate 45. The upper pivot plate 45 rotates on the main pivot 47and serves as mounting point for upper support harness 31.

Cam 39, engagement latch 49 and engagement latch spring 50 are attachedto the lower pivot plate 48 rotating independent of the upper pivotplate 45 at the main pivot 47. Lower pivot plate 48 also serves asmounting point for the lower support harness 33.

An adjustable motion control system 34 comprises: a roller bearing 36, aleaf spring 37 and an adjustable spring mount 38 attached to upper pivotplate 45. Roller bearing 36 of the upper pivot plate 45 assembly travelson the outer edge of cam 39 fixed to lower pivot plate 48 assembly. Whenthe upper support harness 31 and lower support harness 33 move duringflexion, the roller bearing 36 of motion control system 34 traces thecam 39 profile and moves the connected spring control arm 46, creatingleaf spring 37 deflection. Leaf spring 37 pressure between the rollerbearing and cam creates directional resistance that inhibits flexion orhyperextension of the motion control system 34, and by pairing that withthe superior ergonomics of the open clamshell support harness, thepresent invention can support body mass and mitigate stress on the kneecompartment during squatting and repetitive movement.

Performance of motion control system 34 is determined by the shape ofcam 39, size of roller bearing 36, size and material choice of leafspring 37 and the amount of preload on adjustable spring mount 38.

Referring to FIG. 4, a close up inside view of the adjustable motioncontrol system 34 is shown with roller bearing 36 leaf spring 37,adjustable spring mount 38 and spring control arm 46 attached to upperpivot plate 45. Upper pivot plate 45 rotates on the main pivot 47 andserves as mounting point for upper support harness 31.

Lower pivot plate 48, cam 39 and engagement latch 49 rotate on the mainpivot 47 and serve as mounting point for the lower support harness 33.Engagement latch spring 50 keeps engagement latch 49 locked to cam 39until manually pulled out of position.

Engagement latch 49 locks cam 39 to lower pivot plate 48 and lowersupport harness 33. When engagement latch 49 is pulled to an openposition, cam 39 will rotate independent of lower pivot plate 48 anddisengage leaf spring 37 resistance of the motion control system 34.Reengagement of cam 39 to engagement latch 49 occurs when cam 39 rotatescounter-clockwise against the adjustable cam stop 51, allowingengagement latch spring 50 to pull engagement latch 49 back into alocked position with cam 39.

Having described the presently preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this invention may be otherwise addressed by the scopeof the following, appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exoskeleton chassis for an articulating humanbody part selected from the group consisting of a knee and an elbow,said exoskeleton chassis comprising: a. a rigid lower extremity harnesssupport housing that includes at least one front and one rear lowersupport body panel; b. a rigid upper extremity harness support housingthat includes at least one front and one rear upper support body panel;c. an adjustable hinge mechanism connecting with a central pivot thatincludes a spar extending along an outer side of the human body part,said front and rear panels of the lower support body panel, said frontand rear panels of the upper support body panel and said sparoverlapping along the outer side of the human body part to form an openclamshell design into which the human body part gets inserted when inuse; and d. a motion control system built around the central pivot ofthe adjustable hinge mechanism, said motion control system connectingthe upper extremity harness support housing to the lower extremityharness support housing and used as means for: (i) mitigating stress onthe human body part; and (ii) increasing muscular efficiency.
 2. Theexoskeleton chassis of claim 1 wherein the human body part is the kneeand the motion control system is further used as means for supportinghuman body mass.
 3. The exoskeleton chassis of claim 1 wherein the upperextremity harness support housing and the lower extremity harnesssupport housing have a multiple bolt system for adjustable attachment toeach other and for a customized fit about the human body part beinginserted into this open clamshell design.
 4. The exoskeleton chassis ofclaim 1, which has less susceptibility to circulatory issues for thehuman body part about which the exoskeleton chassis is installed.
 5. Theexoskeleton chassis of claim 1 wherein the upper extremity harnesssupport housing and the lower extremity harness support both clamp ontothe human body part for securement.
 6. The exoskeleton chassis of claim1 wherein the upper extremity harness support housing and the lowerextremity harness support housing both utilize a pivoting, releasablepanel for adjustment and user entry/exit into the exoskeleton chassis.7. The exoskeleton chassis of claim 1 wherein the panel sections for theupper extremity harness support housing and the lower extremity harnesssupport housing each terminate before reaching an inner section of thehuman body part to mitigate circulatory system pressure and restriction.8. The exoskeleton chassis of claim 1 wherein the motion control systemprovides an adjustable means of spring resistance, hyperextension lockand selective engagement.
 9. A rigid orthopedic brace for a human kneeor elbow, said orthopedic brace comprising: a. a rigid lower extremityharness support housing that includes at least one front and one rearlower support body panel; b. a rigid upper extremity harness supporthousing that includes at least one front and one rear upper support bodypanel; c. an adjustable hinge mechanism connecting with a central pivotthat includes a spar extending along an outer side of the human knee orelbow, said front and rear panels of the lower support body panel, saidfront and rear panels of the upper support body panel and said sparoverlapping along the outer side of the human body part to form an openclamshell design into which the human knee or elbow gets inserted whenin use; and d. a motion control system built around the central pivot ofthe adjustable hinge mechanism, said motion control system connectingthe upper extremity harness support housing to the lower extremityharness support housing and used as means for: (i) mitigating stress onthe human knee or elbow; and (ii) increasing muscular efficiency. 10.The orthopedic brace of claim 9 wherein the motion control system isfurther used as means for supporting body mass on the human knee. 11.The orthopedic brace of claim 9 wherein the upper extremity harnesssupport housing and the lower extremity harness support housing have amulitple bolt system for attachment to each other and for fit andconfiguration customization.
 12. The orthopedic brace of claim 9 whereinthe open clamshell design renders the human knee or elbow installedtherein less susceptible to circulatory issues and sensitivity.
 13. Theorthopedic brace of claim 9 wherein the upper extremity harness supporthousing and the lower extremity harness support both clamp onto thehuman knee or elbow for securement.
 14. The orthopedic brace of claim 9wherein the upper extremity harness support housing and the lowerextremity harness support housing both utilize a pivoting, releasablefront panel for adjustment and user entry/exit into the orthopedicbrace.
 15. The orthopedic brace of claim 9 wherein the upper extremityharness support housing and the lower extremity harness support housingeach have panel sections that terminate before reaching an inner sectionof the human knee or elbow to mitigate circulatory system pressure andrestriction.
 16. The orthopedic brace of claim 9 wherein the lowerextremity harness support housing overlaps with and attaches to a hardshell boot for increased leg support, stability and resistance toharmful external forces.
 17. The orthopedic brace of claim 9 wherein thelower extremity harness support housing overlaps with and attaches to anankle brace or a pivoting footbed shoe insert for increased leg support,stability and resistance to harmful external forces.
 18. The orthopedicbrace of claim 9 wherein the upper extremity harness support housing andthe lower extremity harness support housing each utilize a detachableturnbuckle for connecting the pivotably attached rigid front body panelto a cage frame for the human knee allowing for customized fitadjustment.
 19. The orthopedic brace of claim 9 wherein the upperextremity harness support housing and the lower extremity harnesssupport housing are modular and include a slotted interface forcustomized fit and fuselage reconfiguring.